Resonant body



I. H. COLLINS. v

RESONANT BODY.

APPLHIATION FILED JULY \s.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I. H. COLLINS.

VRESONANT BODY.

APPLICATION min mu! 15, 19:5.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Jazvze-s' $804026 JAMES H. COLLINS, OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

nEsonANT BODY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Au 8, 1916.

Application filed July 15, 1915. -Serial No. 39,952.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. COLLINS, of the city of Harrisburg, county of Dauphin, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ResonantBodies, of which the following is a full and exact description. The object of the invention is to .provide a hollow, resonant body for use particularly in conjunction with sound reproducing machines, said body being provided with members independently capable of being placed under varying degrees of tension.

More particularly the object is to provide a removable, hollow record support, adapted to universally fit any type of machine for reproducing sounds from disk records, though the principle involved is equally adapted to record supports of other types.

In this art there is often experienced a condition in which a given note, chord, or othersound, is incorrectly recorded, in which case it is desirable to reproduce the particular sound with its intended pitch, tone, and other characteristics; also, there is frequently a condition in which a correctly recorded sound is not reproduced with its intended individual qualities, because of the pecularities of the particular reproducing machine employed, or because of the objects within the room or other inclosure surroundand the reproducing stylus: 1n the case ofa or in the neighborhood of the said ma chine. Such conditions as these, the present invention is designed to counteract to the end that the actual sound recorded is the sound actually heard, it being understood that to impair the results obtained in reproducin a record it is not necessarily true that the pitch, or other quality, should be extremely incorrect. This briefly is accomplished by reinforcing, or augmenting, the respective sounds reproduced by the usual sound box, and before they leave the machine, by a series of vibrant, tensioned mein bers supported in conjunction therewith.

It has been found that in the ordinary sound reproducing machine, a considerable vibration is imparted to the record support by reason of the irregular, vibratory cooperation existing between the usual disk hill and dale recordthis vibration, caused by the stylus riding over the vertical irregularities'of the groove, is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the record support, while with a lateral cut record, the vibration is substantially parallel with the plane of the said support, and is to a great extent impressed upon the upper portion of the spindle passing In this invention it is the object to utilize this vibration to'transmit to perfectly tuned strlngs, or other members, the characteristic vibrations of a record, it being a well-known fact that when a given period of vibration, as that of a sound conveyed through substantially any known medium, comes into contact with, or by mechanical means is impressed upon, a vibrant body possessing substantially the same natural period of vibration, said body responds and tends to modify, augment, or reinforce, the original sound. Furthermore, if there is but a relatively slight difference in the two characteristic periods of vibration, the string responds though less energetically, and if sufficiently strong tends to correct the audible sound emitting from the machine.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a plurality of correctly tuned strings, which by reason of their peculiar characteristics areadapted to respond to a greater or less degree to practically any period of vibration impressed upon them through the medium of the walls of the hollow record support, and in thus responding they have a positive tendency to clarify and enrich the sound reproduced. Furthermore, while there are certain recorded sounds characteristic of particular instruments to which they respond more freely, their effect upon the reproduction of all sounds is marked, these including even that of the human voice.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of the preferred form of the device; Fig. 2 is a vertical diametrical section of the same with the strings removed; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section of the central )ortion of the same including the combined ub, and bridge; Fig. 4 is a'plan view of the device showing'the annular record supporting members, and partly in section with the top wall removed; Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same, showing the course of one of the vibratory elements; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail section of one of the string tensioning means.

Referring to the drawings specifically, there is provided an annular hub 10, which through the record disk. I

may be so shaped as to conform to the turntable spindle of any type of machine, while rigidly carried b said hub is an annular, plane member 11, preferably made of threeply veneer, provided with spaced apertures 11 to emit the sound waves therefrom, and bounded at its periphery by an annular rim 12, extending upwardly and supporting a second plane member 13, and downwardly to form a flange 14 with which certain types of brakes may cooperate to stop the movement of the turntable as a whole.

The felly 18 of the turntable is preferably formed of a series of members having rectilinear inner faces 19 comprising geometric chords of the circular interior, and at their adjacent ends forming angular recesses 20, which, with the central portions of the said chords operate to cause a churning or circulation of the air within theinterior of the device, the presence of which has proved. to be an advantage over the, results obtained from a perfectly cylindrical interior.

The upper and lower members 13 and 11 at theirlcentra] portions are apertured to receive the cylindrical, frusto-conical, or other, lining 21, which extends downwardly through the hub 10, while they are spaced apart by means of a centrally apertured, circular member 22, provided with a plurality of spaced peripheral grooves 23, in

, which'lie the respective strings as they pass aroundsaid hub as a bridge:

Referringto Figs. 5, and 6, each of the respective members 18' of the fell 18 is provided centrally with a vertically extending aperture 26, inclosing a pin 26; while .into said aperture leads a horizontally extending, aperture in certain of said members 27 from the face 19, said last-named aperture being in a line tangential to the periphery of the central member 22 for a purpose herei'nafter described. Furthermore, extending diagonally into said folly members at the levelof the aperture 27 is a second aperture 28 from which a screw 29 extends inwardly,

' and about which is firmly secured one end of oneof the music cords or strings 25. Alsoextending transversely through certain of the felly members is an aperture 32, narrowed at its inner end 33, and adapted to frictionally receive and bind the adjacent end through a tuning pin or key 34, preferablyprovided witha slot 35 for use in adjustingthe same 'with'a screw-driver, after which said 'pin is driven into the narrowed portionof said aperture. Extending from land tangential to theapcrture 26, and at the Q ture 32, thus forming a channel through 'ight'of the aperture 27, is another aperture '36 at'its opposite-end opening into the aperwhi ch a string, entering the folly, after having passed fr'omthe anchoring screw 29 and throughout itsparticul'ar course, passes to Each of the strings of the device is preferably positioned and run substantially as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, starting at the screw 29 and passing to and around the bridge 22 in one of thegrooves 23, forming sections A and B of the string, after which it passes into a second felly section through the apertures 37 and around the adjacentpin 38, thence to and around said bridge in the same or another groove, and to and around the pin 35) through theadjacent grooves 37, forming the sections C and D. From this point the string passes to and around the said bridge in one of the said grooves, forming the sections E and F thence entering the channel formed by the connectcd grooves 27, 26 and 36, passing around he pin 26', and thence to and around the tensioning pin 3,4, which latter is then rotated to' adjust the tension upon the string to give to it a definite vibratory period or tone, said pin after tuning being driven firmly into place as above described and a plug 10 inserted to cover and protect the same. While this is the pre being such that no two string sections in passing each other either directly contact. or contact intermittently as thevare individually or simultaneously set into vibration, this vibration being transmitted to the individual strings mechanically from 'a'vibratory record upon thef turntable through the felly sections or string supportsparrd through the medium of the upper and lower walls of the device and the hub, or tothe strings directly from the walls of the dievice, which are set into vibration; by'the record adjacent to one of them. I Also, it is not essentially necessary to (provide a bridge such as that shown, as other types may be substituted, or entirely omittcd,;the ialteration or absence of the bridge tendingon-ly to effect the tone or pitch of the strings. Furthermore, .while not thorouglily-;understood at this time, it hasbeen found'tovbc distinctly advantageous to secure upon the upper surface of the wall'13, a centralmnnular ring or disk 42 of fibrous material, such as felt, and an annular'ring 43 of the same material adjacentato the peripheral portion of said wall, said fibrous-*Jnembersm being arranged to support the centraland peripheral portions respectively of a record upon the device, while the portion of the surface of said wall opposite to the grooved portion of said record is directly exposed to,

and set into vibration by, the latter, though separated therefrom, except for the felt sec tions. In this manner a second resonance .shamber'i s obtained 'between the record disk ofthis chamber upon the reproduced sound is clearly noticeable and quite advantageous.

While it has been found preferable to make this device as hereinbefo'redescribed, that is, practically entirelf of wood, parts thereof maybe constructe of metal, as for instance eitherthe hub 10 or lining 21 may be of such material though atleas't the other portion of the bridge must be of wood or similar material, and inno case to obtain the best results must metal in the frame be allowed to contact with'the-strings. Further-' more, many changes in details of construction may be made r 'th varying" influence upon the audibletiect :produ'ced. And, too, while particularly adapted for use in conjunction with sound reproducing ma chines, the principle in its broadest form may be readily adapted to use in connection with an unlimited number of sound producing instruments, either permanently connected thereto, or brought into cohperatio'n therewith as described. Furthermore, When the material of the casing of the improved record support is composed of wood, or

, other fibrous material, the same may be treated or coated, either partially or entirely, with a solution containing either or both resin and turpentine, this combination forming a material possessing the greatest known resonance, and its presence increasing the resonance of the material of the casing.

Having thus described niy invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A resonant record support for sound reproducing machines, comprising a tensioned vibratory member operative to be set into vibration by a record adjacent thereto. 2. A resonant record support for sound reproducing machines, comprising a tensioned vibratory member operative to be set into'vibration by physical connection with a record upon the support.

3, A resonant record support for sound req" hollow producing machines, comprisni' 7 WW casing, and a tuned string mounte Etherifi, and operative to be set into vibration by a record disk through the medium of said casing.

4. A record support, comprising spaced walls one of which is ada ted to. supporta record, a rim inclosing t e space between said walls, and a tuned string supported by said rim and operative to vibrate 1n sym pathy withcertain periods of vibrationof said record, when the same 1s m coiiperation with a stylus. f

5, A recordsupport, comprising spaced resonant walls one of yvhich is adapted to support a record, arim including the space between said wall s','a bridge within said inclosure, and a vibratory member-supported by said rim and in contact with said bridge, and operative'to vibrate in sympathy with. certain periods of vibration of said record,

when the same is in cooperation with'a stylus.

6. A record support, comprising spaced 8. A record support, comprising spaced walls, a felly between and inclosing the space between'said walls, a rim connecting t1 e peripheral portions of said walls and a hub extending between and maintaining said walls in spaced relation, one of said walls being perforated to permit .sound waves to pass therethrough.

'9. A record support, comprising spaced walls, a felly inclosing the. space'between said walls, a hub extending between and maintaining said walls in spaced relation, and a tensioned vibratory member supported by said felly and-cooperating with said hub as a bridge.

'10. A record support, comprising a resonant wall, a rim, a hub,- and a turned vibratory member supportedby said rim and hub and operative to vibrate in sympathy with predetermined neighboring vibrations. 11. A record support, comprisinga resonant wall, a rim, a hub, and a'plurality of tuned vibratory members supported by said rim and hub and operative to vibrate sympathy with definite predetermined vi-- a tensioned string, and a hub,--sa1d string extending from saidfelly, to and around said hub as a bridge and thence to said felly.

15. A record support, com rising a felly, a tensionedstring, a hub, said string extending'from said folly, t0 and around said hub as a bridge and thence to said felly, and

means carried by said felly to alter the natural period of vibration of-said string. 16. A record support, comprising a telly,

-145., A record support, comprisinga felly,

a tensioned string, a hub, and means carried by'said felly to vary the tension upon said string, said string-extending from a point on said felly adjacent to said means around said :hub toa second portion of said felly, thence to and around-said hub to a third -,;p ortion ofsaid felly, and thence to and ,iWil llS one "ofwhich is adapted to support a record, a rim inlosing the space between said;- walls, and a vibratory member supported by said rim and operative to vibrate in sympath v with certain periods of vibration of said record, when the same is in cooperation with a stylus.

19.A record support, comprising spaced resonant. walls one of which is adapted to support a'record",- a rim inclosing the space between said walls, abridge within said inclosure, and a,- tensioned vibratory member supported by'saidrim and in contact with said bridge,and operative to vibrate in sympat v" with certain periods of vibration of said record, when the same is in cooperation with a stylus.

20. A record support forv sound reproducing machines, comprising a disk, and a tensioned vibratory member carried by said disk operative to be set into vibration by reproducing sound from a record upon said support.

21. The combination of a record support for sound reproducing machines, with a tensioned vibratorymember carried by said support and operative to be set'into vibration by the vibration of a record upon said support.

22. A record support for sound reproducing machines, comprising a frame, and a tuned resilient member carried by said frame and operative to be set into vibration by a record upon said support.

23. A record support for sound reproducing machines, comprising a frame, and a resilient memb'er carried by said'frame and operative to be set into vibration by physical connection with a record adapted to vibrate upon said support.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of July, 1915.

JAMES H. COLLINS.

\Vitnesses MARY B. ODONNELL, MARIHV. BURNS. 

